While Krishn left the next morning with the peace treaty, us sisters... We were up to.....

Fun chaos.

We challenged each other to make the biggest ball of fire and not fire it at the castle, but consume it back in ourselves.

" This ensures, that in the heat of the battle, if you have even the slightest inkling of your fire being launched in the wrong direction, or the wrong people, you can save their lives immediately. " Sudhuma warned.

We still hadn't found out why she fainted that day. But we figured she'll tell us herself.

" But now, we must practice something new, " Vishwa panted, " I'm done! " She flopped onto the ground.

Miss Rabbit has fainted.

" Come on Vishwa...build some stamina... Fighting for days is going to be exhausting. " I held her under the armpits, trudging her back up..

" But I'm sleepy. " She whined and lay down face first on the grass again.

Miss Rabbit has fainted. Again.

" Devi Vishwaruchi, would you like me to have a water boy for you? You seem exhausted. " Yudhishthir walked in, a concerned look on his face.

" Ji-jijashree -I -" She sat up abruptly, clearing her throat.

" - it's alright. I understand that you are exhausted. " He laughed at her, handing her a glass of water.

" How are you Samrat? Any news from our peace messenger? " Sudhuma asked, her eyes flashing with concern and, to an extent, fear.

" We received a message from Krishn's charioteer, that they have just reached my lady. Now we must have patience. " He said, sitting by my side.

" I'm sweaty -" I giggled, shoving his hand off, wiping my face.

" - you think I care? " He mumbled, pulling me into a side hug.

" Jijashree. We understand that you love our sister. Now will you please leave her alone! We need to practice more! " Sulo said, hauling him by the hand and sending him away.

" Oh-" He said, staggering, then smiled.

" See you soon. " He said, walking away.

" Karali. Why didn't you find me someone like him? " Sudhuma murmured next to me.

" I will. Don't worry. We have more pressing matters right now. Plus. Didn't you know. Boys are silly. " I giggled.

We went back to our routines, practicing till sundown.

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" Saag? " AJ called and I turned around.

" Yeah? " I said, stopping mid way to the throne room.

" I have... A favour to ask.. " He said softly.

Okay. AJ only asks for favours when something is serious.

" What is it ? You know you can ask me anything, " I said, " Kya kiya.. Time se pehle khichdi paka di kya? "

(What did you do? Made a mess of things before time?) I smirked at him.

" No... I -" He stopped mid sentence, wrangling his fingers.

" AJ. What happened? " I asked sternly.

He sighed and said, " I need a promise from you. "

I looked at him confused. All that for.... A promise?

" Of course. Whatever you want, " I said and he held his hand up.

" No Saag. Hear me out. I want you to promise me... That you'll protect Devi... Please.... " He trailed off and I was even more befuddled.

" AJ... She's my sister. I will protect her anyways. What are you going with here... " I said and he held my shoulders softly.

" Saag. I want you to promise me.. That you'll bring her back alive. Each day. Please... I cannot live without her... She's the best thing that life has ever given me. Her, my kids. I don't even mind living as a hermit, if I have her. So promise me. Every day of the fight, because we both know it'll be very long. You'll bring her back alive. You'll bring back the mother of my children. Alive. " He joined his hands, holding them to his lips, as if in prayer.

" AJ... AJ. " I said , grabbing a hold of his hands, then thwacking his head.

"Ahh! What was that for! " He shouted and I raised another, just to hold his head.

" You idiot. You didn't even need to ask me that... You know I'll bring her back alive. What do you think me.. A heathen? " I asked, wiping my own tears away as he chuckled.

" Well. Heathen is an insult to the heathens.. You're probably a witch -"

He received another thwack on the head.

" Go now you idiot. Sleep. It's very late. " I said and he nodded, then pulled me into a deep hug... I'd only gotten hugs like this from him, when my parents died... When we finally met in Dwaparyug, when he found out I was hurt in the sabha and then now.

As he left, I felt a familiar presence behind me.

" Speak Nakul. What is it?" I asked and he laughed, low and deep.

" Ah. Bhabhishree. I forget you have eyes behind your head just like Jyeshth. I... Had something to share with you... " He said and he looked just as nervous.

" Is everything alright? " I asked gently, holding his face.

Despite me being older than him, he was, in fact taller than me. He looked beautiful... But scared.

The fear I didn't understand.

" Bhabhishree... Saudamini and I have something to tell you, but I will allow her to rest, " He said, then fiddled with his thumbs once more.

" What is it? Is she-" My hand flew to my mouth, imagining the worst.

" Has she fianlly accepted that I was right about the cycle's theft! " I screamed and he facepalmed, mumbling something about, 'Kaliyugi, sisters, both are the same'.

" No bhabhishree. Much more serious. While Dushasan's... Words were unaccounted for... He was right about one thing... " He said and I frowned.

" What do you mean? Do you think my sister is only worth -"

" - no no! Bhabhishree! Why do you both jump to conclusions so quickly... No. I'm saying... " He sighed.

" Bhabhishree. You're about to be a mausi... Though I'm sure you are used to it by now -"

I couldn't speak... Far too many things were going through my brain... The most important one.

One more life was at stake.

" Bhabhishree. Are you... Not happy? I understand you already have nieces and nephews, but I just thought-"

" - oh no.. I'm.. I'm happy. I'm truly happy. " I smiled at him, reassuring himself and myself.

" Are you sure bhabhishree... I feel like I caught you at a bad time.. " He said nervously and I shook my head.

"No no," I said, " I'm really happy for you. We'll have a celebration tomorrow. A true one. Congratulations Nakul. I'm proud. " I  pulled him into a hug and sighed.

Why fear the future when I can relish in the joys of the present.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Soo... Okay. I did something.

And...

Anyways. Tell me how it was and do vote.

Much love

Radhekrishn♥